About the Flaherty-Dunnan

First Novel Prize

The Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize is awarded to the best debut novel of the year. The author of the winning book receives $10,000 and the other shortlisted authors receive $1,000 each. The award is given annually at The Center for Fiction's Benefit and Awards Dinner. The Prize was originally established in 2005 as the John Sargent, Sr. First Novel Prize. Since 2010, the Center’s First Novel Prize has been known as the Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize, thanks to the very generous support of writer Nancy Dunnan, a member of the board of The Center for Fiction, in honor of her late father, Ray Flaherty, an Iowa writer. Ms. Dunnan passed away this year in August and, so this year the award will be given not only in honor of Ray Flaherty, but also for the first time in honor of Nancy Dunnan as well.